Q: Whenever I bless a deacon before he proclaims the gospel, I hold my hands over his head before making the sign of the cross. A friend told me that’s not right?

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A: I’ve checked Order of Mass 14, GIRM 175 and 275b, the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass 17, and the Ceremonial of Bishops 140. None of them gives any instruction for how the priest (or bishop) is to hold his hands before making the sign of the cross while blessing the deacon.

His default position is hands folded.

I imagine the frequently observed custom of a priest imposing hands over the deacon while beginning the blessing borrows the gesture from the optional prayer over the people at the end of Mass or from many instances in the Book of Blessings.

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